Lahiri & Colsaerts commit to Australian Open

Indian superstar and dual Presidents Cup player Anirban Lahiri will contest the 2018 Emirates Australian Open.

Capping that coup, he will be joined by former Ryder Cup star and popular Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney from November 15-18.

Their commitment adds another layer to the growing international power group chasing the Stonehaven Cup, with PGA Tour winners Matt Kuchar, Keegan Bradley, Brandt Snedeker and Brendan Steele already in the field.

They will be joined by a host of in-form Australians chasing the 103rd edition of their national championship, headlined by defending champ Cam Davis and Australian PGA winner Cameron Smith.

It will be Lahiri's first shot at the Australian Open, but he's been a prolific traveller having played the past three seasons on the PGA Tour as well as keeping his hand in on his home Asian Tour.

Lahiri, 31, has several times come close to victory on the US Tour, including a T6 in the recent WGC Bridgestone Invitational, but has still notched 18 global wins in reaching as high as No.33 in the world rankings.

Colsaerts, who'll turn 36 the day before the tournament starts, will make his second Australian Open appearance having shared 18th place with Lee Westwood behind Matt Jones at The Australian in 2015 shortly after reaching his peak of No.32 in the world.

Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt was delighted both players have committed to playing for the Stonehaven Cup.

"Nicolas has been a much-loved visitor to Australia and his ball-striking always attracts a large gallery," Pitt said.

"And we're thrilled to host Anirban for the first time. He obviously has a huge following in India and we'd love nothing more than to see a good result in Sydney push him towards his third successive Presidents Cup appearance."